Latest news with #shore
Observer
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Observer
Caution advised as sea conditions change during Khareef
Muscat: As the Khareef season intensifies across Dhofar Governorate, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) reminds the public of turbulent sea conditions and rising wave levels along the southern coast during this period. The alert, shared as part of the ROP's safety campaign, highlights the elevated risks posed by unpredictable marine conditions during this period. Citizens and residents, particularly fishermen and seafarers, are urged to avoid venturing out to sea unless absolutely necessary. The ROP reiterated the importance of regularly following weather bulletins and adhering to maritime safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities. The warning follows observations of significant wave activity, which can pose serious threats to small boats and fishing vessels operating close to the shore. The Arabian Sea becomes particularly volatile during this period, with wave heights sometimes exceeding 3 metres, especially along the coasts of Salalah, Mirbat, and Taqah. These conditions are compounded by strong offshore winds, reduced visibility, and undercurrents that pose a danger not only to fishing boats but also to swimmers and beachgoers. Authorities have previously recorded several maritime accidents during the Khareef season, mostly due to negligence of weather warnings or inadequate safety equipment on boats. Its good to remember that three years back, a trip to Mughsail Beach in Salalah turned into a tragedy for one Indian family as they were swept away into the sea by strong currents. With the current Khareef season expected to peak in the coming weeks, the ROP has called for heightened vigilance and cooperation from the public, urging everyone to treat official warnings with the utmost seriousness
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
Looking to spot a whale this summer? An expert has tips
Whether in a boat or on the shore, there's nothing like the thrill of seeing a whale in the water. Marine biologist Laura Lilly — who also runs a Facebook page where people can share their whale sightings, capelin and icebergs — has some tips on how to make the most of your time when looking for elusive North Atlantic animals.
Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Increased number of jellyfish stings reported on east coast
People visiting beaches on the east coast of Scotland are being warned to look out for jellyfish along the shore after an increase in reported stings. RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeguards say that with sea temperatures rising and more people heading to beaches, they are also seeing an increase in reports of jellyfish. Jellyfish are common throughout the summer months in Scotland, with large groups – or blooms – regularly spotted in the water and washed up along the coast. Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting. But red-coloured Lion's Mane – the largest jellyfish in Scottish waters, reaching up to two metres across with long trailing tentacles – and Compass jellyfish can cause painful stings. The RNLI warned that a sting from a Lion's Mane jellyfish can cause pain and redness, swelling or a stinging sensation and in some cases nausea, sweating, cramps, headaches and other symptoms. They said bathers who suffer a sting should let a lifeguard know straight away so they can provide first aid if needed. RNLI lifeguards are currently on duty on the east coast at Broughty Ferry near Dundee, Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders and in Fife at Burntisland, Leven, St Andrews East and West Sands, Elie, and Silver Sands in Aberdour. Bradley Schreiber, an RNLI lifeguard based across the area, said: 'We've seen an increase in jellyfish recently across all our beaches, especially when there are onshore winds – when the wind is coming from out at sea and blowing on to the beach. 'Over the past two or three weeks we are definitely seeing an increase in reports of stings, although thankfully we've not seen anything too serious. 'With the smaller Moon jellyfish a sting can be quite similar to a nettle, but Lion's Mane jellyfish can get very big and their sting can hurt quite badly. A big Lion's Mane jellyfish, depending on where the sting is, can be quite severe. 'There was a previous situation where one of them slipped into someone's wetsuit, which was too big, and they were stung all over their body.' RNLI said that bathers who suspect they have been stung should avoid rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting. Instead, they should use a card such as a bank card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea between the RNLI's red and yellow flags. The cold salt water helps to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom. People who start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, should speak to a lifeguard immediately as it may be signs of an allergic reaction. Mr Shreiber said: 'If you can feel pain and you believe you've been stung by a jellyfish, let a lifeguard know so we can keep an eye on you in case something more serious happens like an anaphylactic attack, which is an allergic reaction and can come on rapidly. 'It's very rare but it can happen and it's good for us to know so we can keep an eye on you.' Mr Shreiber warned that urinating on the sting area was a myth and 'not recommended'. The tactic, which has been proven ineffective and even possibly harmful, was popularised in an episode of the sitcom Friends, 'The One With The Jellyfish', in which Monica is stung on the foot and Chandler reluctantly tries the remedy Joey recalled seeing in a documentary. Mr Shreiber said: 'We don't recommend that, it's not the advice we give out. 'It's certainly not what we are trained to do. Seawater works just fine and I'm sure it's a lot more hygienic.' Like this: Like Related
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Schupak: I took the 'Rory McIlroy Tour' and played his childhood course. Here's what I learned
HOLYWOOD, Northern Ireland — I always wanted to get my picture with the famous Holywood sign. Not the one with two 'l's' high in the mountains in Los Angeles, an American landmark and cultural icon, but the one pronouncing this town of approximately 10,000 lying on the shores of Belfast Lough, between Belfast, Northern Island's capital, and Bangor. This one proudly proclaims upon entrance: 'Welcome to Holywood, historical gem of the Lough and home of Rory McIlroy.' Just a quarter-mile away, perched high in the Holywood Hills of County Down is Holywood Golf Club, a picturesque 18-hole parkland course where the Grand Slam champion cut his teeth. In April, after McIlroy won the Masters to become the sixth golfer ever to complete the career Grand Slam, the club launched the Rory McIlroy Tour to formalize a way for his golf fans from all over the globe who had been showing up unannounced for years to celebrate his journey to golfing greatness. The tour costs 22 pounds for adults and 17 per child (age 16 and under). It includes fresh Irish scones with jam and cream. The advertisement also offers a coffee or tea but I was given the choice of a Guinness and had the barkeep pour me one of those instead. There are photo opportunities with replicas of his trophies and memorabilia – no Green Jacket just yet! – and a chance to purchase 'the Home of Rory McIlroy' memorabilia in the pro shop. I had some time to kill before my 'tee time' so I drove through the town, past Sullivan Upper School, where he attended grammar school, and parked nearby the famed maypole at the crossroads in the town's center. Its origin is uncertain but according to folklore, it dates from 1700 when a Dutch ship is said to have run aground on the shore nearby. The crew erected the broken mast to show their appreciation of the assistance offered to them by the townsfolk. It was a good landmark to find the aptly named Maypole Bar, which the locals call Ned, and McIlroy biographer Tim Gay claims in his book 'Rory Land,' pours the finest Guinness in all the Emerald Isle. When I arrived for the tour, Paula Denvir, a member since 2010 and last year's ladies club captain, met me in the parking lot. The course overlooks Belfast Harbor, where McIlroy's grandfather worked the docks which would later launch the ill-fated Titanic. 'It was fine when it left here,' Denvir joked. She started the tour at the club's fitness center, which overlooks the 18th green, and an indoor training center equipped with Trackman and several simulator hitting bays that have become popular during the winter. McIlroy personally funded this wing of the clubhouse, which opened in 2019, and Denvir said it has created a new revenue stream of members who only want to use the world-class gym. From there, she led me on a private tour of the Holywood clubhouse, where McIlroy's father, Gerry, was the bar manager. At age seven, a full five years before junior memberships typically began, a young and precocious Rory believed he was ready for the course. 'He said, 'I won't hold anybody up. I'm one of the fastest players and I know all the rules of golf,' ' Denvir recounted in one of the many stories that she shared. The walls of the 'Rory Room' filled in the rest. There's a collage of photos of McIlroy through the years and the ones of him from a tender, young age are the best, including with the likes of Darren Clarke and Nick Faldo. There's a framed photo of McIlroy in jacket and tie holding the trophy as champion of the 2003 Ulster Boys Under 18. Next to it resides a photo of McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, who won the same title in 2002. Scorecards of the course record are framed, too. Surprisingly, a McIlroy once owned the course record, but not Rory – his uncle, Colm, held that honor. The trophy cabinet is chock full of McIlroy baubles, including all the big ones. McIlroy has donated clubs and bags he's used to win Ryder Cups and majors. Denvir unlocked the cases and took out the replica trophies. 'Lift away,' she said. Then she led me through the bar where more than 100 members gathered to watch the final round of the Masters in April. 'It was unbearable at times,' Devnir said. 'You should have heard all the expletives. We all just sat in there going, 'Seriously, this is what you're putting us through.'' But Devnir kept the faith and the celebration that ensued was worth all the heartache. Her husband, the current club president, did 12 hours of media the next day. They stamped McIlroy's signature on a scorecard for me and I bought a ballmark and a club logo hoodie from the well-stocked pro shop with merchandise that reflected that this was the home of the Grand Slam champ. Devnir said that when the Irish Open was played at Royal Portrush, McIlroy had stayed in Holywood and used the gym before making the 60-mile drive north, and predicted he might do the same this week. After the Rory Tour, I took on the 6,015-yard hillside course. The terraced fairways slope towards Belfast and rarely provide a flat lie. I can see how his trademark draw was shaped at holes such as the first, where everything kicks right and the dogleg fifth. It's a quirky course with some killer views from up high by the 10th green. McIlroy noted in his Tuesday press conference that it had probably been 15 years since he last played the course. But should he stop by this week to use the gym or enjoy a pint at the bar where his father once poured the drinks, his primo parking spot will be waiting for him.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Missing sea kayaker rescued by Ayrshire lifeboat crew
Volunteers from Troon RNLI rescued a missing sea kayaker from the Firth of Clyde around a mile off the coast of Ayr. An Ayrshire lifeboat crew rescued a missing sea kayaker in the Firth of Clyde last night, Thursday. Coastguard rescue teams and Troon RNLI responded after a sea kayaker was reported missing off the coast of Ayr shortly before 10.45pm. Volunteer crews from the RNLI quickly launched their new lifeboat, RNLB Roy Barker VI, on its first callout. Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Teams also made their way to scene assist with the search from the shore. Despite the fading light, Troon RNLI managed to find the kayaker and rescued them from the water before taking them back to Ayr harbour to meet the Coastguard and Scottish Ambulance Service. Following treatment by paramedics, the kayaker was taken home. A spokesperson for Troon RNLI said: "The first operational tasking for our new RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat came at 10.43pm on Thursday, July 10 after Belfast Coastguard were notified about a missing sea kayaker off the coast of Ayr. "With pagers activated, the volunteers made their way to the lifeboat station launching 'RNLB Roy Barker VI' to take part in a search involving Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Teams. "In fading light, the lifeboat headed south to commence a search. Approximately a mile offshore, a casualty was located in the water and recovered onto the lifeboat. "Immediate casualty care was undertaken by the crew as the lifeboat headed into Ayr harbour where the casualty was transferred to the care of the Ambulance service and Coastguard Teams. "After treatment in the ambulance the casualty was taken home and discharged from care. "With this news the lifeboat was able to return to station, where it was made ready for service with the assistance of the shore crew."
